February 27, 2005

Who Was Our First President?

CRAFTING A CONSTITUTION -- George Washington was elected president of the Constitutional Convention – then president of the United States of America. Pictured: Convention delegates, Washington standing between desk and chair while a delegate signs document on the desk.
Painting courtesy Library of Congress

Now that Presidents Day has come and gone, let’s put the record straight. George Washington was not our first president.

Ever hear of Peyton Randolph -- or 14 other patriots who served as president of America before General Washington?

Bear with the following narrative sprinkled with dates that can be bypassed safely. They are merely a framework to keep events in proper sequence.

A Continental Congress was organized in 1774 to petition King George III of Britain for relief from political, economic and military regulations.

Peyton Randolph and Henry Middleton shared the office of “president” of that Congress alternately for eight months.

Nothing came of that venture so a Second Continental Congress was convened in October 1775 with John Hancock as president.

Failing to resolve differences with Britain, Congress on July 2, 1776, moved -- and unanimously adopted -- a “Declaration of Independence” written by Thomas Jefferson.

Delegate Benjamin Franklin warned, “We must hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” With this, delegates hurried home.

The Declaration resolution was inscribed by Thomas Jefferson on parchment two days later and signed by Hancock waiting alone to certify it.

Hancock affixed his signature in his usual bold script on July 4. Then the unique document was “cried” from the steps of the Philadelphia State House by Charles Thomson. He was a Pennsylvania delegate serving as secretary of Congress.

The oft-reported story of Hancock signing his name in large letters to defy King George -- and encourage assembled delegates -- is an engaging myth.

The first printed copies of the Declaration sent to the various colonies bore the names of President Hancock and Secretary Thomson only. Other delegates did not sign the original until August 2 or later.

It is clear that the Declaration created a sovereign nation. Critical phrases are: “to institute new government,” and “we representatives of the United States of America,”

Hancock was succeeded as president of the United States of America in Nov. 1777 by Henry Laurens, a South Carolina delegate. He was destined to pay a price for the honor.

Laurens was with Congress when it fled to Baltimore, Md. -- and again to York, Pa. -- ahead of the British Army before it took possession of Philadelphia in Sept. 1777.

Now, in his role as president, he helped establish the Articles of Confederation – precursor to the Constitution. Laurens resigned the presidency in Dec. 1778, and was followed by John Jay and Samuel Huntington.

Former President Jailed

Though Laurens had resigned the presidency, he continued active in the Revolution. He was sent by Congress in 1780 to negotiate a treaty of friendship and commerce with the Netherlands.

During the ensuing sea journey, the British Navy captured Laurens’ ship and took him captive. He was charged with treason and clapped in the tower of London that was reserved for political prisoners.

Laurens was imprisoned until 1782 when he was exchanged for Lord Cornwallis, the British general who surrendered all British forces at York Town.

Free once more, Laurens was appointed a commissioner in France to help negotiate a peace treaty between the United States and Great Britain.

Seeds Of A Constitution

The Continental Congress in 1781 reconstituted itself as the “United States in Congress Assembled” -- with Huntington continuing as president. He was succeeded by nine other worthy gentlemen until a Constitutional Convention was convened in 1787.

George Washington was unanimously elected president of that august body which hammered out today’s U.S. Constitution.

During this period, delegate James Madison led debate that resulted in our present Constitution establishing a “federal” government.

It is comprised of two houses of Congress, an independent judiciary and an empowered president elected by an Electoral College (not by popular vote of individual citizens).

After ratification by the states, Washington was elected president of a federalized government in 1789. He considered himself “first.”

In a letter to James Madison about his inaugural ceremony, he wrote: “As the first of anything -- in our situation – it will serve to establish a precedent.”

Father Of His Country?

George Washington today is widely haled “Father of his country” because of his victorious military leadership and subsequent presidencies.

However, our country was well established before he became directly involved. Others could be accorded the honor.

Peyton Randolph, first president of the rebelling Continental Congress?

John Hancock, president of Congress when the Declaration of Independence was adopted?

Henry Laurens, whose presidency resulted in the Articles of Confederation?

Samuel Huntington, first president of the United States in Congress Assembled?

Or George Washington who won the war during the Continental Congress, elected president of the Constitutional Convention and was elected first president under our present Constitution?

If you choose, you have more smarts than I have.

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at linwms@lindseywilliams.org